Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's budget plan: 2,500 layoffs, privatization

Detroit faces $265 million budget deficit, working to resolve money problems with state agreement

The Detroit City Council has until July 1 to approve a budget blueprint that calls for dramatic cuts and radically news ways for running the city.

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's administration has laid out a budget proposal that would cut more than 2,500 jobs and shave $250 million from the city's annual expenses.

"It does sound dire, but service was pretty crappy already," said City Council President Charles Pugh. "So, if there is a way for us to improve service by becoming more efficient, then that's what I want."

Chief Operating Officer Chris Brown told City Council members Monday the layoffs would be in addition to 1,000 job cuts Bing sought earlier. Brown says the city's general fund revenues will decrease from $820.5 million to $739 million.